CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR in peru
from US $ 1729.00
Lima - Cuzco - Machu Picchu – Lake Titicaca – Colca Canyon – Arequipa
14 days / 13 nights
ITINERARY
Dec 20: Lima
You are welcomed by our staff at the airport and transferred to your hotel. During the ride we will tell you about Lima and Peru and go through your itinerary day by day. We will also answer any question you may have.
Dec 21: Lima (B)
After breakfast, a guided tour of colonial and modern Lima which includes the cathedral built in 1654 where the remains of Francisco Pizarro rest, the Main Square with a bronze fountain from 1650 and some unique tree balconies, the San Francisco monastery with the famous catacombs and the modern areas of Miraflores and San Isidro. We end the day with a visit to the famous Gold Museum, a unique private collection of amazing gold artifacts from the Inca Empire and other ancient Peruvian cultures such as Chavin, Mochica, Nazca, Paracas, etc.
Dec 22: Lima - Cuzco (B)
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cuzco. Free morning to relax and get used to the altitude. In the afternoon a guided tour of Cuzco and the four famous Inca ruins that are located in the outskirts of Cuzco; the water temple Tambo Machay, the fortress Puca Pucara, the Oracle place Qenqo and the impressive fortress and temple of Sacsayhuamán. Three enormous stones, each one weigh 120 tons, form three perfect zig-zag walls and the view over Cuzco is wonderful. Then you do a walking tour of central Cuzco with visits to the Cathedral, Main Square and the Sun Temple of Korikancha.
Dec 23: Sacred Valley (B, L)
Today you will do a full day excursion to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You visit the village of Pisac that was founded during colonial times and is located at the foot of some impressive Inca ruins. Visit the Pisac market on the Main Square where the Indians sell their products and handicrafts. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays are the busiest days, but the market is always open. After lunch, visit Ollantaytambo, the only Inca village that the Spaniards never conquered, and explore the ruins located above the village. You will spend the night in Ollantaytambo since you are already half way to one of the great wonders of the world, Machu Picchu.
Dec 24: Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu (B)
It is time for the highlight of the tour, the forgotten city of the Incas and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World – Machu Picchu. You will catch an early train to Aguas Calientes where you are met by your guide. You then take the bus up to Machu Picchu for your guided tour (2 hours). After the tour you will have some free time to explore the ruins and take more photos. A popular alternative is to climb the mountain next to Machu Picchu; Huayna Picchu (2 hours). It is quite tough but if you reach the top you will have a spectacular view over Machu Picchu and the surroundings. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Dec 25: Aguas Calientes - Cuzco (B)
Today you will have the opportunity to go back to Machu Picchu to enjoy the sunrise over Machu Picchu and spend time there without too many other tourists (entrance fee and bus tickets not included). In the afternoon you take the train back to Cuzco. You are picked up and transferred to your hotel.
Dec 26: Cuzco – Puno (B, L)
Transfer to the bus station for the tour that will take you to Puno. The bus trip over the altiplano is very beautiful and you will do several stops on the way to visit museums, Inca ruins and small villages. You will also make a stop for lunch. You arrive in the afternoon to Puno. We pick you up and transfer you to the hotel.
Dec 27: Lake Titicaca (B, L)
After breakfast you are picked up for your guided tour of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. On the first stop you will visit the floating reed islands of Uros. The inhabitants will show you how the islands are built and you will go for a short trip in one of their reed boats. Then you go to Taquile, a truly beautiful island where the locals live as they have been doing during centuries with their small scale agriculture and animals. You walk around on the island with the guide and after lunch it is time to go back to Puno where you will arrive late afternoon and get transferred to your hotel.
Dec 28. Puno - Colca Valley (B)
After breakfast you are picked up at the hotel for your 2 day Colca Canyon tour. You arrive to Chivay, the most important village in the Colca Valley. You are dropped off at your hotel and you can enjoy a free afternoon in the valley which can be used to visit the hot springs.
Dec 29: Colca Canyon - Arequipa (B)
Early in the morning we go further into the Valley towards the deepest part of the Canyon called Cruz del Condor. The scenery from this point is spectacular and hopefully you will see the great condor flying by just above your heads. The condors are most likely to be seen April-October but they are also seen during other periods of the year. After a short walk along the Canyon it is time to go back to Chivay from where we continue to Arequipa. On the way we will pass the Pampa de Cañahuas National Reserve where you will see groups of Llamas and Alpacas and we will visit the hot springs in Yura. Arrive to your hotel in Arequipa.
Dec 30: Arequipa (B)
Free morning. In the afternoon the city tour of Arequipa starts where you will visit the Chilina valley and the old San Lorenzo district. You will get a nice view of the city and you will visit the Main Square and the Cathedral as well as the extraordinary Santa Catalina Monastery that are built of volcanic lava and is dated back to the 16th century. You will end the day with a visit to Juanita, the best preserved mummy in the whole America, which was found in 1995 during an expedition high up in the mountains.
Dec 31: Arequipa – Lima (B, D)
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima. Pick up and transfer to your hotel. Free day to make some final shopping and rest before the night. In the evening dinner at a first class restaurant. At midnight there is an amazing firework show over Lima.
Jan 1: Lima (B)
Free day
Jan 2: Lima (B)
Transfer to the airport for your international flight.
End of our services
Price:
- 2 star Tourist Class hotels: Price per person (based on two people): US$ 1729.00
- 3 star hotels: Price per person (based on two people): US$ 1819.00
- 4 star hotels: Price per person (based on two people): US$ 2449.00
- 5 star hotels: Price per person (based on two people): US$ 3259.00
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 13 nights in recommended hotels in nice and safe areas, including buffet breakfast
- All transfers as per itinerary
- All excursions as per itinerary (in group ) with English speaking guides
- All entrance fees as per itinerary (second day entrance to Machu Picchu not included)
- Meals as per itinerary (B, L, D)
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International flight and flight taxes
- All domestic flights (Lima-Cuzco, Arequipa-Lima)
- Local airport taxes (around USD6 per person per flight)
- Meals not specified in the Itinerary